When a youth becomes an Eagle Scout his achievement
is recognized by a ceremony in his honor. Friends, relatives, and persons
who have influenced his life are invited. Other scouts participate. There
are speeches and presentations which make it clear that becoming an Eagle
Scout is no minor accomplishment.

Our grandson was recently honored by such a ceremony.
His brother, also an Eagle Scout was master of ceremonies. More than 50
guests including his parents, grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts, school
friends, friends of his parents, and his school's headmaster were among
those who attended.

Also, the Wisconsin State Representative from his
family's district arrived with a commendation plaque from the Wisconsin
Assembly. The Wisconsin State Senator had a handsome plaque from the State
Senate. Both gave short speeches. The State Representative made her presentation
first. Then it was the State Senator's turn. Our grandson, Kurt, was seated
with his parents in view of both the senator and the audience.

The State Senator made his short speech, and then
said that before he gave the plaque he would like Kurt to promise to go
rock climbing with him. In full view of all, Kurt flashed a quick smile
and then shook his head in an emphatic NO WAY! The senator was slightly
taken aback, but he changed the offer to a bike ride to Madison. Some
people were nodding YES, but not Kurt. It was NO WAY again. There were
a few embarrassed laughs, and then the senator handed Kurt the plaque
saying he hoped to see him some time in Madison.

What do you think of that little incident? Here's
my take. I was as proud of Kurt for that as I was for all the badges he
earned, and I'll tell you why. In front of a large group of friends and
relatives Kurt was put under pressure to make a promise he did not want
to keep. He had no desire to climb rocks or bicycle more than 60 miles
to Madison. Although it was possible that a refusal might cause some recognition
to be denied, the honesty of youth prevailed. His mind was focused on
what he was being asked to do, not on the reward that might be denied,
and certainly not on what onlookers might think of him.

Imagine what might have been if 20th Century judges,
legislators, congressmen, teachers, business executives, presidents, etc.,
had retained their youthful honesty, their ability to focus on central
issues, and their resistance to intimidating circumstances. What if they
had been honor-bound, rather than ego-bound? Would the promoters regional
government and the New World Order have been able to get away with their
shenanigans?

For example, would teachers, school principals,
and health care workers in the Milwaukee area who were invited to a drug
education seminar that was held at the Kenwood Conference Center of the
University of Wisconsin on October 20, 1975 have taken it all in, or would
they have walked out in disgust? As it was, they behaved like children
at an 8-year old's birthday party, They were told they were learning techniques
to get in touch with their feelings. When their feelings were fully exposed
they were taught that efforts to stop drug use were unrealistic because
the decision to take drugs is a personal decision based on values and
feelings as well as factual information. They accepted the goal of the
seminar which was to assure that use of drugs be experimental or recreational,
rather than harmful or destructive.

Would Sidney Simon have been invited to stage his
values clarification demonstration at the 1975 Wisconsin Education Association
Convention? If so, would honest conscientious teachers have been fooled
into believing Simon was doing something good for education? Eleven students
selected from Milwaukee area schools were used. As they came on stage
Simon praised them for participating and told them they would have the
opportunity to influence a couple thousand teachers. After a short warm-up
he began asking extremely personal questions. All the students cooperated.
They revealed secrets, discussed their faults, fears, and attitudes toward
other members of their families, and one boy even confessed to marijuana
smoking. Simon thanked each student for sharing, and asked for applause.
Most of the teachers applauded heartily. To conform was more comfortable
than to contradict.

Years ago elected officials knew they might be voted
out of office if they tried to claim the right to ship children from their
neighborhood schools. However federal judges were used and instructed
on how to accomplish the goal. Buying and selling groups of children for
the sake of grants became the norm; and day after day, week after week,
month after month the buses were loaded with unwilling and unhappy little
captives. Congressmen and legislators did nothing to free them.

Kurt, when your turn comes to make important decisions,
you won't force little children to do things like that , will you? You
won't act stupid just to earn the praise of nincompoops, will you? You
won't betray our United States Constitution for the sake of a world management
system, will you? Please keep your youthful honesty, good sense, and self
confidence. I love you.

Erica Carle is an independent researcher and
writer. She has a B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin. She has
been involved in radio and television writing and production, and has
also taught math and composition at the private school her children attended
in Brookfield, Wisconsin. For ten years she wrote a weekly column, "Truth
In Education" for WISCONSIN REPORT, and served as Education Editor for
that publication.

"Years ago elected officials
knew they might be voted out of office if they tried to claim the right
to ship children from their neighborhood schools. However federal judges
were used and instructed on how to accomplish the goal. Buying and selling
groups of children for the sake of grants became the norm; and day after
day, week after week, month after month the buses were loaded with unwilling
and unhappy little captives. Congressmen and legislators did nothing to
free them."